'Man v. Food' guy taking on Joe Rogers chili

'Man v. Food' guy taking on Joe Rogers chili

'Man v. Food' guy taking on Joe Rogers chili Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” television show, will attempt to down five bowls of tongue-scalding Firebrand chili at Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe Chili Parlor as part of an episode he will start taping in Springfield on Friday.

Richman and his crew first will record a segment about Springfield’s classic horseshoe sandwich Friday at D’Arcy’s Pint. On Saturday, they will cruise over to Cozy Dog Drive In, where Richman will bite into the eatery’s famed deep-fried battered dog on a stick. And on Monday, July 20, the production team will go to Joe Rogers’, where the do-or-die Firebrand challenge will start about 1:30 p.m., said owner Rose Hamilton.

“No one has been able to eat more than four bowls of Firebrand. (Richman) will try to break the record,” she said. “Man v. Food” takes the affable Richman — an actor and former restaurant worker — throughout the nation, where he highlights culinary history and local tourist spots. After zealously sampling signature dishes at several restaurants, he engages in a David-vs.-Goliath challenge with a gargantuan or intensely spicy restaurant dish.

Sometimes Richman is able to polish off his offending opponent; other times he stops before exploding or combusting. The hourlong TV series airs locally at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on cable channel 62. Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman Jeff Berg said the Travel Channel contacted the bureau in late April or early May.

“Springfield had come across their radar. They gave us an opportunity to submit suggestions to see what would work,” he said.

The bureau provided the names of several restaurants, as well as other spots worthy of shooting. Final locations were chosen by the network.

Travel Channel spokeswoman Marjorie Hall said the tapings will be done on a closed set to minimize interference with “production and host time for Adam in front of the camera.” She declined to give the times when Richman would be in the three Springfield restaurants.

However, Hallie Pierceall of D’Arcy’s Pint, 661 W. Stanford Ave., said she was told the crew would be there Friday from about 1:30 to 6:45 p.m. Josh Waldmire from Cozy Dog, 2935 S. Sixth St., said the team would arrive about 10 a.m. Saturday and stay all day. Hamilton from Joe Rogers’, 820 S. Ninth St., is expecting the cameras at 7 a.m. Monday and was told they would remain there about eight hours.

All three eateries will remain open during the “Man v. Food” visits.

Hall did not have an air date, but the Springfield episode probably will run about eight weeks after filming. Joe Rogers’, aka The Den, sells chili in a variety of heat levels.

“The spices are cooked into the meat. It’s the meat that is hot,” said Hamilton. “Firebrand has four scoops of meat in the bowl.” The chili called Hot — a step down in intensity — has just two scoops.

Hamilton said a serving of Firebrand weighs between three-quarters of a pound and one pound. Those with the fortitude to finish a bowl get their names posted on a wall.

“It’s very spicy,” she said. “When I pour it out, I have to cover my nose.” Kathryn Rem can be reached at 788-1520.